Visitors to New Zealand are limited to a maximum stay on a visitor visa of nine months unless they:
are genuine tourists (see V2.5.10) who require no more than an additional three months to complete their itinerary; or
are applying for a visitor visa under a special category of visitor visa instructions which allows a longer stay in New Zealand; or
cannot leave New Zealand because of circumstances beyond their control; or
have lodged a first-time application for residence that has been accepted for consideration, and a decision is unlikely during the currency of their existing visa.